Family Reunions
by Marsha Pugh on 08/15/12
Last weekend was our family reunnion, held at my brother and sister in law's home on the waterfront of Virignia. It's a quiet area with summer homes and a deep water inlet that leads out to the Chesapeake Bay.
As with all family reunions, therre are plenty of kids and dogs attending. Having all the water toys imaginable, the kids were busy taking turns tubing, water skiing and diving off the pier to swim.
Later that afternoon my brother in law got out the "man toys" which were fireworks and his canon. Most of the dogs and kids and women were inside or on the porch while the guys were all anxious to set off the fireworks and shoot the canon.
One dog, a cute puggle named Pete, was mistakenly left outside but his owner was present and ready to hoop and holler.
Well, one shot of the canon and that poor dog was gone! It took a few minutes before his owner realized it and then panic erupted.
Just the previous spring, our Italian Greyhound Club (MAIGC) held a semianr on finding lost dogs, including dogs that were missing for days. The information shared at that seminar proved to be priceless.
Pete's owner was beside himself with guilt and worry and the kids were all running around screaming Pete's name, flailing arms and creating general chaos.
Once they got organized and quiet, sending out a search party in various directions amde more sense, so that's what we did. One went by car, one up the road and the rest traveled along the waterfront.
Thankfully, Pete responds to his name and he was very happy to be found. He gripped his owner with his front paws around his neck and hung on for a very long time.
There are all sorts of links to help you search for your lost dog
and while not free, there is www.petamberalert.com
